Thermo Fisher Scientific to purchase Fermentas International

Thermo Fisher Scientific is to acquire molecular and cellular biology research company Fermentas International in a transaction valued at $260 million (179.5 million pounds).

The deal, which is expected to close during the third quarter of 2010 provided that regulatory approval is granted, will see Fermentas become part of Thermo Fisher’s analytical technologies business unit.

Fermentas manufactures and distributes a range of enzymes, reagents and kits, including compounds for nucleic-acid and protein purification and molecular weight markers.

Marc Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific, expressed confidence that the takeover will allow the science company to expand its polymerase chain reaction market presence.

He added: “With Fermentas, we are better positioned to meet the demands of molecular and cell biologists for complete workflows that can accelerate their research and improve results.”

Last month, Thermo Fisher announced a record-breaking financial result for the first quarter of 2010, thanks to double-digit sales growth in key product areas.